Windmill.



PATBNTED JAN. 30, 1906 B. R. HARRINGTON.

WINDMILL.

APPLICATION FILED APE. 6, 1905.

2 BBEBTS--SHEET 1.

No. 811,218. PATENTBD JAN. 30, 1906. B. B.. HARRINGTON. WINDMILL. APPLICATION FILED APR. e, 1905.

rirrn parti@ WlNDlVIlLL.

Speceaton of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. 30, 1906.

Application tiled April 6, 1905. Serial No, 254,133.

To @ZZ when@ t may concern.

Be it known that I, BENoNi R. llamame* TON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Phoenix, in the county of Maricopa, Arizona Territory, have invented a new and useful Windmill, of which the following is a speciiication.

The invention relates to improvements in windmills.

The object of the present invention is to improve the construction of windmills, more especially the construction shown and. described in an application l'iled by me on or about December 27, 1904, Serial No. 238,403, and to increase the strength, durability, and lightness of the same and to provide a simple and comparatively inexpensive one capable of developing great power and provided with means for causing it to operate at a uniform speed and for throwing it entirely out of operation when the force of the wind increases to a dangerous speed.

With these and other objects in view the invention consists in the construction and novel combination and arrangement of parts, hereinafter fully described, illustrated. in the accompanying drawings, and pointed out in the claims hereto appended, it being under stood that various changes in the form, proportion, size, and minor details of construction within the scope of the claims may be resorted to without departing from the spirit or sacriiicing any oi the advantages of the invention.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is an elevation, partly in section, of a windmill constructed in accordance with this invention. Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail view illustrating another manner oi' forming separate pockets in the sails. Fig. 3 is a detail view of the bottom of thc main or supporting Jframe. Fig. 4 is a horizontal sectional view o'lE the governor. Fig. 5 is an elevation of a governor, illustrating a slight modiiication of the invention. Fig. 6 is a detail view illustrating the construction of the catch for locking the Windmill out of operation.

Like numerals of reference designate corresponding parts in all the figures oll the drawings.

1 designates a main or supporting frame provided at the top and bottom with upper and lower bearings 2 and 3 for the reception of a rotary mast or shaft 4. The main or supporting frame is composed of vertical uprights or bars 5, preferably constructed of angle-iron or other suitable material and con neeted at their ends by radially-arranged upper and lower bars 6 and 7, which constitute the top and bottom oi" the 'frame of the windmill. The trame oil the Win dinill may be provided with a suitable root 1a Afor protecting the windmill Yfrom rain, snow, or the like. The upper and lower bearings are provided with suitable sockets for the reception oi the ends of the rotary mast or shait, and any suitable antiil'riction devices may employed lor reducing the friction to a minimum, able oil -holes are provided in the bearings `for conducting a lubricant to the bearing-surfaces, and any suitable means, such as oilcups, may be employed for supplying the lubricant to the bearings.

The rotary mast is provided with a plurality oi sails S, constructed of ilexible material and supported by arms 9 of the same length, as clearly indicated in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings. In practice these sails are arranged in pairs and are designed to be spirally disposed around the shalt, as described in the said application` but in Fig. 1 of the drawings for convenience oi illustration only two sets of sails are shown. The arms 9, which may be fastened to the rotary mast and braced in any desired manner, preferably consist of rods centrally piercing the rotary mast and crossed at the same. The central portions 1() of the rods diverge and extend beyond the mast, as clearly shown in Fig. 2, to space the body portions of the arms the desired distance. The body portions of the arms are arranged parallel and support the sails. The tops of the sails are substantially oblong and are provided at their inner ends with tapered portions to fit the inner divergingI portions of the arms.

Each sail is provided with a plurality of separate pockets or compartments 11, which, as shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings, may be formed by vertical partitions 12, arranged at intervals. The pockets, which are disposed Suitin a horizontal series and which are rounded Y IIO,

The sails are supported by liexible braces or guy-ropes 14 and are held by stays 15.`

Theses braces or guy-ropes, which may be arranged in any desired manner, are designed to prevent the sails from sagging when sub-v lapsed to check or stop the windmill, and

each sail is connected with a slidable member 16, which is mounted on the rotary mast and which is adapted to be moved upward on the same to collapse the sails. The sails, which may be connected with the slidable member in any desired manner, are preferably operated by means of a cord or rope 17 or other flexible connection extending to a guide 18 and provided at the front of the sail with a plurality of branches 19, extended to and connected with the bottoms of the pockets. The guide 18 is mounted on the rotary shaft and is provided with a suitable pulley, as indicated in Fig. l of the drawings, and the flexible connection 17 extends upward from the guide to the slidable member 16. The slidable member 16, which preferably consists of atube or sleeve, is provided at the bottom with an outwardly-extending annular flange 20, having a plurality of perforations for enabling the iexible connection 17 to be readily secured to it. These connections, however, may be attached to the slidable member in any other desired manner. The bottoms of the sails are also connected with a governor 21 by means `of a plurality of liexible connections 22, having a lurality of branches 23 at their upper ends extending to different portions of the sails. lVhen the speed of the windmill exceeds a predetermined degree, the rapidity of rotation causes the sails to flatten, which pulls 4upwardly on the exible connections 22 and operates the governor to either check the windmill or throw the same entirely out of operation, as hereinafter explained, whereby the Windmill is automatically controlled. The governor is provided with a weighted lever 24, having an outwardly-extending horizontal arm 25, carrying an adjustable Weight 26 and connected with the ropes or cables 22. The outer end of the horizontal arm 25 is provided with an eye 27 or other suitable means for the attachment of the ropes or cables 22, which also pass through guide-loop 28 of a stay 29, which consists of a rope or other suitable flexible connection. The lever 24 is L-shaped and is provided with a vertical arm 30, having its lower portion forked and fulcrumed at an intermediate portion on a bracket 31 by means of a suitable pivot. The bracket is mounted on the rotary shaft, and the lower forked arm of the lever straddles a slidable clutch-section 32 and engages an annular groove 33 thereof, whereby when the horizontal arm of the lever is raised by the sails the slidable clutch section or member will be actuated.

The clutch member or section 32 is mounted on a horizontal shaft 34, which pierces the mast and which is journaled thereon, as indicated in Fig. 4 of the drawings; but the shaft may be journaled on the mast in any other desired manner. The horizontal shaft is provided with a groove 35, and the slidable clutch member has a pinl 36 extending into the groove 35, whereby the clutch section or member is adapted to slide longitudinally on the shaft to engage and release a gear-wheel 37, but is caused to rotate with the shaft. The gear-wheel 37 is provided with a clutch face or section 38, and it has a pin 39 extending into an annular groove 40 of the horizontal shaft, whereby it is loosely held thereon and is adapted Whenzthe slidable clutch member is out of engagement with it to permit the horizontal shaft to rotate independently of it. The gear wheel 37 which is vertical, meshes with a fixed horizontal gear 41 secured to the top of a bracket 42, which receives the lower portion of the rotary mast or shaft and which is substantially U-shaped, as clearly shown in Fig. 1 of the drawings; but any other form of bracket may be employed.

The clutch sections or members, which may be constructed to interlock in any desired manner, are preferably provided with rounded protuberances and concavities, as indicated at 43 and 44. Any number of these protuberances and concavities may be provided, and Awhen the clutch sections or members are interlocked the vertical gear is held rigid with the horizontal shaft and is caused to revolve around the horizontal gear 41, whereby rotary motion is communicated to the horizontal shaft. The horizontal shaft carries a drum or spool 45, which is yieldably held in frictional engagement with a fixed collar 46 and which is connected by a rope or cable 47 with the slidable member 16. The flexible connection 47 is adapted to be wound up on the drum, whereby the slidable member 16 will be moved upwardly on the rotary shaft, carrying with it the sails which will operate the governor. The collapsing of the sails in this manner will check the speed of the windmill, and when the speed of the windmill is reduced the sails will be permitted to automatically open, and the Weighted arm of the lever 24 will carry the slidable clutch member or section out of engagement with the vertical gear. Should, however, the velocity of the wind be sufficient to prevent the sails from collapsing, the continued rotation IOO ITO

einem of the horizontal shaft will move the sleeve or member 16 upwardly until a catch 48 of the sleeve or member is carried into engagement with a shoulder 49 of' the rotary shaft or mast.

The 'fixed collar 46, which is adj ustably secured to the shaft by means of a clampingscrew 50, may be of any desired construction, and it .is provided at its engaging face with a concavity 51 to receive a rounded projecting portion or protuberance 52 of the drum or spool, which is maintained in engagement with the collar or member 46 by a coiled spring 53, disposed on the shaft and interposed between thc outer end. of the drinn or spool and an adjustable collar 54. justable collar 54, which is mounted on the horizontal shaft at one end thereof is provided with a clai'nping-screw, and Ait forms a stop or abutment for the outer end of the coiled spring and is adapted to be moved longitudinally of the shaft to control the tension of the spring. The yieldable engagement of the spool or drum with the collar 46 permits the horizontal shaft after the tubular member 16 has reached the limit of its movement to rotate without injuring the mechanism. The 'flexible connection 47 extends through a lower guide 55, and it passes over a pulley of an upper guide 56 and extends downward therefrom to the slidable member 16, being secured to an eye 57 at the upper end thereof. Any form of guides may be employed vlor the iiexible connection 47, and pulleys may be employed at any and all points where the rods or other Hexible connections are liable to become worn. When. it is desired to release the slidable member 16, the catch 48 is disengaged from the shoulder or seat 49 by means of a rope 58 or other suitable flexible connection. The shoulder or seat 49 may be formed by a notch, and the catch 48, which is L-shaped, is pivoted at the top and is adapted to drop into engagement with the shoulder or .seat by gravity. The catch is mounted in a slot or opening of the slidable member 16 and has one arm vertical, and its other arm, which extends outward horizontally, is connected to the upper end of the cord or rope 58, and it terminates short of the outer edge of the annular flange 20, so that the cord or rope 58 when pulled upon will slide on the annular [lange beyond the catch and disengagc the latter 'from the shoulder or seat 49. The llange 20 may be provided with any suitable antifl'riction device for preventing the cord or rope 58 from becoming worn. The lower end of the cord or rope 58 is secured to the rotary mast or shaft, which is provided with a ladder 59 for enabling access to be readily had to the latchoperating cord or rope. The arms of the rotary mast or shaft are designed to be provided. with suitable anchoring-ropes 60,which The admay be secured to the vertical bars of the frame or tower for holding the windmill stationary in a storm..

In Fig. 5 is illustrated a slight modification of the governor, in which the clutch is dispensed with, the weighted lever 61 being connected with a slidable gear 62, normally held out of mesh with a iixed horizontal gear 63 and adapted to be carried into mesh with the same when the weighted arm 64 of the lever 61 is swung upward by the action of the sails. The slid able gear is mounted on the horizontal shaft, which carries a spool or drum 65, constructed as heretofore described.

The lower portion ol the rotary shaft or mast carries a horizontal drive-wheel 66, preferably located within the opening ol' the bracket 42 and adapted to receive a belt 'for communicating power to a pump or other device or machine to be operated by the Windmill` Any suitable means may be employed 'for lubricating. The 'trame or tower is horizontal and is adapted to 'form a convenient support Afor a tank or reservoir.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. In a windmill, the combination of a rotary mast, and a collapsible sail constructed of `flexible material and provided with a plurality olI pockets, each pocket being open at the iront and closed at the top, bottom, sides and back.

2. In a windmill, the combination of a rotary mast, and collapsible sails open at the front and closed at the top, bottom, sides and. back and provided with partitions forming separate pockets.

3. In a windmill, the combination of a rotary mast, and collapsible sails open at the front and closed at the. top, bottom, sides and back and provided with vertical partitions forming a horizontal series of separate pockets.

4, In a windmill, the combination of a rotary mast, a p air ol sail-supporting arms having parallel outer portions and angularly-disposed inner' portions diverging from the mast, and a sail supported by the said arms.

5. [n a windmill, the combination of a rotary mast, opposite horizontal arms arranged. in pairs and consisting ot' rods piercing and centrally secured to the rotary mast, said rods being centrally crossed and angularly bent at opposite sides of the mast to provide inner diverging portions and outer parallel portions, and sails supported by the arms.

6. In a windmill, the combination of a rotary mast, collapsible sails, a slidable member mounted on the mast and located above the sails, :flexible means extending upward, connecting the sails with the slidable member, a governor connected with and operated by the sails, and means operable by the gov- IOO TIO

ernor for moving the slidable member to collapse the sails.

7. In a Windmill, the combination of a rotary mast,collapsible sails, a slidable member mounted on the mast and located above the sails, fiexible means extending upward, connecting the sails With the slidable member, a governor connected With andoperated by the sails, means operable by the governor for moving the slidable member to collapse the sails, and automatic means for locking the slidable member to hold the sails collapsed.

8. In a Windmill, the combination of a rotary mast, sails having collapsible pockets, a governor connected With and operated by the sails, and means operated by the governor for collapsing the pockets of the sails.

9. 1n a Windmill, the combination of a rotary mast, sails having collapsible pockets, a

governor connected with and operated by the sails, and means operated by the governor for collapsing the pockets of the sails, said means embodying a rotary drum and a flexible connection arranged to be mounted on the drum.

10. In a Windmill, the combination of a rotary mast, sails having collapsible pockets, -a governor connected with and operated by the sails, and means operated by the governor for collapsing the sails, said means involving a yieldably-mounted drum and a flexible connection arranged to be Wound up by the drum.

11. In a Windmill, the combination of a rotary mast, collapsible sails, a governor connected With and operated by the sails, and means operated by the governor for collapsing the sails, said means embodying a rotary drum, a flexible connection arranged to be Wound up by the drum, and an actuating member frictionally engaging the drum.

12. 1n a Windmill, the combination of a rotary mast, collapsible sails, a governor connected With and operated by the sails, and means operated by the governor for collapsing the sails, said means embodying a rotary drum, a flexible connection arranged to be Wound up by the drum, an actuating member frictionally engaging one end of the drum7 and a spring yieldably engaging the other end of the drum. i

13. In a Windmill, the combination of a rotary mast, collapsible sails, a governor connected With the sails, and embodying a fixed horizontal gear, a horizontal shaft carried by the rotary mast, a vertical gear adapted to revolve around the fixed gear, and slidable means for operatively connecting the horizontal shaft With the gearing, and means actuated by the governor for collapsing the sails.

14. In a Windmill, the combination of a rotary mast, collapsible sails, and a governor embodying a fixed horizontal gear, a horizontal shaft, a vertical gear adapted to revolve around the fixed gear and mounted on the horizontal shaft, slidable means for operatively connecting the horizontal shaft With the gearing, a Weighted lever for actuating the slidable means, said Weighted lever being connected With the sails and operated by the same, and means actuated by the governor for collapsing the sails.

15. In a Windmill, the combination of a rotary mast, collapsible sails, a governor embodying a fixed horizontal gear, a vertical gear carried by the rotary mast, sail-collapsing mechanism, and a clutch for connecting the latter With the gearing. i

16. In a Windmill, the combination of a rotary mast, collapsible sails, a fixed horizontal gear, a horizontal shaft mounted on the rotary mast, a vertical gear meshing With the horizontal gear and adapted to revolve around the same, a sliding clutch element for interlocking the shaft With the vertical gear, a Weighted lever connected with the sliding clutch element and With the sails and operated by the former, and mechanism actuated by the horizontal shaft for collapsing the sails.

17. In a Windmill, thev combination of a rotary mast, a horizontal shaft, gearing for actuating the same, said gearing embodying a fixed horizontal gear, a lever fulcrumed on the mast and having a Weighted arm connected With the sails, means actuated by the lever for operatively connecting the horizontal shaft with the gearing, a drum actuated by the horizontal shaft, and .flexible means adapted to be Wound up on the drum and connected With the sails for collapsing the same.

18. The combination of a Windmill having a sail for actuating it, said sail being movable, and governing mechanism for controlling the operation of the Windmill, said governing mechanism being connected With and thrown into and out of operation by the sail.

19. The combination of a Windmill having a sail for actuating it, and governing mechananism vfor controlling the operation of the Windmill, said governing mechanism being connected With and operated solely by the sail.

20. The combination of a Windmill having a movably-mounted sail, a governor connected With and operated solely by the sail, and independent means controlled by the governor for throwing the Windmill out of operation.

21. The combination of a Windmill having a movably-mounted sail, a governor connected With and operated solely by the sail, and independent means controlled by the governor and connected With the sail for arranging the latter in an operative position.

22. In a Windmill, the combination of a rotary mast provided with supports, collapsi- IOO IIO

bie sails depending from the supports, govmy oWn I have hereto axed my signature erningfmolmnism `flor eotrolling the opera in the presence oil tWo Witnesses. tion o t e Windmi 1 an means connecte With the lower portions of the sails and With BENONI R' HARRINGVl ON 5 the governing mechanism for throwing the Witnesses:

latter into and out of operation. GRACE B. LODER,

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as MRS. H. E. HOUSTON. 

